Identify a GSE and create a learning performance that combines evidence of understanding a critical concept with writing a good scientific explanation for a topic in your next unit. Provide a link in your description to the appropriate GSE.
Create a specific rubric for this scientific explanation.
Describe a difficulty or misconception that this activity might surface.
Describe you might use this assignment to provide formative feedback to your students.
GSE: Understanding of Natural Selection/ Evolution LS3 (9-11) 7b investigates how the sorting and recombination of genes in sexual reproduction results in a great variety of possible gene combinations in the offspring of any two parents. (e.g. manipulate models to represent and predict genotypes and phenotypes, Punnett Squares, probability activities)
Learning Performance: Using two examples of chromosomes in a pea plant that each contain a gene for a certain plant trait (flower color, stem length), students will make a claim about how these genes are passed down from parents to offspring. As evidence, students will determine the gamete possibilities that could come about with two heterozygous parents and use them in a Punnett Square. They will then show the phenotypic ratios that result from their Punnett Square. Finally, students will connect the Punnett Square to the passing of genes from parents to offspring and explain how the Punnett Square plays a role in the passing of genes.
Rubric:
2 points
1 point
0 points
Claim
Claim is accurate and complete
Claim is accurate or complete, but not both.
Claim is not accurate or copmlete.
Evidence
2 pieces of evidence that show how genes are passed from parents to offspring.
1 piece of evidence that shows how genes are passed from parents to offspring.
0 pieces of evidence that show how genes are passed from parents to offspring.
Reasoning
Correctly links evidence to claims
Links evidence to claim with some confusion.
Does not link evidence to claim correctly.
One misconception or difficulty that students might have is lining up the gamete possibilties on the Punnett Square correctly.
This scientific explanation can be used as formative assessment. I can collect their explanations, read them, and gain a better understanding of how complete their understanding of meiosis is so far.
GSE: Understanding of Natural Selection/ Evolution LS3 (9-11) 7b
investigates how the sorting and recombination of genes in sexual reproduction results in a great variety of possible gene combinations in the offspring of any two parents. (e.g. manipulate models to represent and predict genotypes and phenotypes, Punnett Squares, probability activities)
Learning Performance: Using two examples of chromosomes in a pea plant that each contain a gene for a certain plant trait (flower color, stem length), students will make a claim about how these genes are passed down from parents to offspring. As evidence, students will determine the gamete possibilities that could come about with two heterozygous parents and use them in a Punnett Square. They will then show the phenotypic ratios that result from their Punnett Square. Finally, students will connect the Punnett Square to the passing of genes from parents to offspring and explain how the Punnett Square plays a role in the passing of genes.
Rubric:
This scientific explanation can be used as formative assessment. I can collect their explanations, read them, and gain a better understanding of how complete their understanding of meiosis is so far.